Chihiro is absolutely wonderful! So helpful, patient and creative! He's the best. We get all our art framed here and couldn't recommend this place more. They have the best selection for matts and frames. read more

I had an extremely uncomfortable experience at Cheap Pete's and feel compelled to share it. From the moment I walked in, I was treated differently in a way that felt dismissive and unwelcoming. The owner's tone, body language, and lack of basic courtesy made it very clear that I was not wanted as a customer. As a person of color, this experience felt racially charged. I have never felt so uncomfortable in a framing shop--or any shop, for that matter. I left without getting help and will not be returning. I hope the owner reflects on how they treat customers and understands how damaging experiences like this can be. read more

Came here to get a poster printed. They have a great selection of frames to choose from and different finishes for your printed product. The only issue that occurred was that there was a kink when they wrapped my finished product. So when it was unraveled you could see the error and creases. They were kind enough to reprint it free of charge, but then the associate tapped the poster to cardboard directly on the front side of the new freshly printed ink. I didn't want to deal with it anymore so I left and took my time unpeeling the adhesive so it wouldn't tear my poster.. Overall, this place is great if you need something printed and at a decent price. Just know there is a wait time and check your product before you leave! read more

Came here to get two pieces of art custom framed and am so happy with the result! Service was excellent and they helped me pick the perfect mat and frame to complement the pieces. read more

Cheap Pete's Frame Factory Outlet - Framing Near Me - Berkeley, California

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This framing place is awesome! I brought 10 paintings to get frames and they had a great selection for me to choose from. I bought existing frames and was provided backings and mounting wear, as well showing me how to put particular paintings in the frame properly. I worked with Yvonne and she was very helpful!!! 20/10 service. My total for everything - 10 frames, backings, hardware for some paintings, some wires was 512 which was a steal for me. They also offer custom framing if that's something you're interested in. I will definitely be coming back. read more

Great customer service. Excellent selection of products. The friendly staff was super knowledgeable and helped me pick out the perfect frame for my project. Will definitely be back for all my framing needs! read more

Cheap Pete's Frame Factory Outlet - Framing Near Me - Berkeley, California

Nice framing shop, located near the intersection of College Avenue and Ashby Avenue in Berkeley, with ready-made frames (smaller frames near the entrance, and large frames to the left), and a table in the back for discussing custom-framing jobs. They do a great job of custom framing, and get jobs done pretty quickly and at a very reasonable price. I've had quite a few paintings framed here and they do a fine job. Parking is a challenge. read more

Call cheap Pete's for some framing advice. They were very helpful on the phone and then I went in and they were even more helpful with choices and custom mats and frames. Thanks so much! read more

Just overall great service and a great inventory/selection of frames. I like the customization options and the customer service particularly the patience with my being so indecisive most of the time. read more

Fantastic place. Good selection. Very helpful staff. Reasonably priced. I framed 4 photos with mats. They look great. My new "go to" for frames. read more

I got really great service from Siah. Super friendly and helpful. Good selection. Reasonable prices.

Amazing no-nonsense frame shop. I came in needing replacement glass for some already framed art, and in less than 10 minutes I walked out with the custom cut glass. Price was very reasonable. When I got home and couldn't figure out which side had the UV coating, I called the shop, Haley taught me a quick trick over the phone and I was on my way! Needless to say, I found another frame that needed glass and came back the very next day. Funny how a good place will have you finding reasons to go back again and again. I've found my new go-to frame shop. read more

Saturday errands included matting (and self framing) a print. Took my frame and print with me to choose a colored matte. After i selected a double matte, was told it could be a 10-minute wait to cut glass and mattes for my print. Seriously fast. Nice quality. In and out in a snap. Great neighborhood shop with a very helpful staff. VERY HAPPY. Thank You! -bk read more

Cheap Pete's Frame Factory Outlet - Dirty Lola by Scarlett_River - Framing Near Me - Berkeley, California

I came in with a poster I wanted to frame for my moms birthday and the experience was anything but pleasant. A woman came from the back and started helping me but she wasn't very prescriptive. When she suggested I get the poster mounted I asked her "what's the next step" looking around at the frames and she sort of laughed and was like well the frames are over there. She knew exactly what I meant and as I looked at the frames I decided it wasn't worth it to support a business that would talk to a customer like that or have a disposition like she's doing me the biggest favor assisting. She was lovely with another customer as I looked at the frames. Just seemed flippant and careless. I got out of there fast. read more

Writing reviews is not something i do much of, and especially not negative reviews, but i had a disturbing experience at this cheap pete's yesterday, and feel future customers should be warned. If you go in knowing exactly what you need, you will get a computer-cut mat and it will be square and you will be happy. If you don't know the precise measurements you want your mat cut to, and a very uncommunicative woman offers to help you, then does nothing, walk out. By reading Stephanie C's review from 11/9, in which she describes exactly my experience, i know she is still working there. I don't know why. I now have two small prints in a double-cut mat, in a frame, which i can look at and visualize more easily how my prints should be positioned, because unlike Stephanie i didn't walk out. read more

I love cheap petes! They do a great job. Affordable prices. Timely turn around. Good service.

My goodness! I can't say enough good things about this place. I was in a hurry to get 12 pieces framed with mats and wasn't having much luck elsewhere. My budget was about $300 and the other places I went estimated at least triple that. It was suggested to me that I check out Cheap Pete's in Berkeley as they have a lovely ready made frame selection with plenty of different sizes and styles to choose from, and relatively inexpensive prices. I am SO GLAD I went! From the moment I walked in the employees were extremely friendly and very hands-on in terms of helping me with creative decisions. To lower cost, one employee taught me how to tape my pieces to their mats so I could do it all myself. They even gave me the acid-free tape I needed. This same employee also lent their artistic eye to helping me select each and every mat and frame combo. All in all, I walked out with every single piece paired with a gorgeous, perfect frame and mat for just over $300! For that many pieces it's a great deal and I honestly had a lovely time working with them. I highly recommend you try them! read more

Riley and the Cheap Pete's team were very helpful and professional. I don't have much of an eye for colors myself, so having their assistance really helped me find something that I wanted but in a way that fit with the larger piece and an actual color scheme. They have great pricing options for folks who might want to invest more (or less) depending on the piece. As my partner and I get more involved in art and framing, it is nice to know that we know that we no longer have to look for a place to get this work done! I will always go to cheap Pete's for my bay area framing needs. read more

Like many have noticed, Cheap Pete's is unfortunately NOT very cheap, but decent quality frames in general are much more expensive than people might think. That said, this are perhaps the best place to go in Berkeley for frames. Their inventory is top notch, they seem to have a million frame options for every possible set of dimensions, color, frame width, etc. I come here whenever I have super weirdly sized art I need to have framed. read more

I had a bunch of items I needed framed, and Sahai (spelling might be wrong) was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. It was nice talking about art while we waited for our matting to get measured. I had to come back again because the original matting came out in the wrong size (computer error, not employee) and Sahai was very gracious and helpful and made sure we went home with the right sizes. And everything looks so good now! Just have to get around to hanging everything... read more

Cheap Pete's Frame Factory Outlet - Two posters I had framed at College Ave Cheap Pete's location - Framing Near Me - Berkeley, California

I went on the hunt to frame some prints and a collection of postcards/prints and whoheeee, it was some trying times. Our first visit at a highly rated frame store: Expensive, time consuming and a bit unnerving, we then went to Cheap Pete's. We explained to Albert who was helping us that we wanted the best looking option at the cheapest price. He suggested we buy a readymade frame, some custom matting, do the work ourselves (which he said as long as you're a lil' crafty you can do), and forgo custom framing. He also mentioned they had a groupon to help save money. :: Groupon gone? No worries, they still offer 10% off with a Yelp check-in offer! :: Well, la-ti-da. We went ahead and did that. Instead of handing over $500+ for 2 pieces, we left with 2 great frames and custom fit matting for $120 and all we have to do is tape our prints on. We have an even larger piece that we won't be capable of doing, and the quote was well over $1500, which we sadly cannot afford, but his coworker Wen offered some great framing hacks that could easily be done if we decide to go that route. A great selection of high quality frames, reasonable prices and AMAZING customer service will make me a life long customer! They even have some ruler, measuring tape and level freebie giveaways at the register to help with all your hanging needs! read more

I write very few reviews. Only for businesses I really want to support. Or, in this case, for a business I will NEVER patronize again. I went in last Saturday and bought three frames. Got home and discovered two were the wrong size. My mistake. I only figured this out after having removed the cellophane wrapping from one of them. I returned the next day to exchange these for frames in the correct size. I was told I could not exchange or return the one from which I'd removed the cellophane. Store policy. The staff were not rude, but they also were clearly not flexible on this point, so I left with a $23 dollar frame for which I have no use. (Not so cheap, either, given the size and quality...) To be clear here, on their website they do state that returns must be in their original packaging. But it's not like this frame came in a box. It was a piece of cellophane. And we're not talking about something perishable. It's a freaking picture frame, in exactly the same condition as when I purchased it. I don't think there's another business around with such a ridiculous policy. Are we really talking about a piece of CELLOPHANE? And it's your brand! You wrapped it. Re-wrap. Hell, charge me a restocking fee. But don't refuse an exchange over a piece of plastic that probably cost you less than a penny. When I got home, I messaged Cheap Pete's customer service via their website, hoping I could get a rational response. It's been five days, and so far, crickets. Sad, but I guess not surprising. I'm left to conclude that Cheap Pete's is definitely cheap, and not in a good way. And lazy. And totally out of touch with standard practice. Can you imagine this from Amazon? Or Trader Joes? Certainly not. It would be more like, "Yes, of course, sir. We'd be delighted to take back that half-eaten frozen curry. So sorry you didn't enjoy it." Okay. I'm done. Thanks for listening. I hope you won't give this crappy business your custom. read more

Framing can be stressful and expensive. Like many people, I've accumulated small stacks of stuff I want to hang but can't afford the time and money or don't want to deal with the headache. For my boyfriend's birthday, I offered to frame the top artwork on his stack: an original painting by Neil Blender on an asymmetrical piece of denim. He'd had it squashed into a plain, cheap black frame right up to the unraveled edges, and it looked pretty shoddy. Luckily he'd stepped on it and broken the glass, so it needed a new frame. (Even more luckily, he didn't cut his foot.) I knew it needed special treatment, being asymmetrical and fabric. I dragged an artist friend along since he has an eye for this stuff. I knew it needed more space between it and the frame, and more color around it, but had no idea what colors or how to attach it and make it all work. Gwen helped us, and she did a fantastic job. (I also remembered Gwen from the SF location, where she'd help me frame several pieces a couple years ago.) Of all the colors of matting and frame each of us grabbed to try, in the end the ones we all liked best were the ones she suggested. I never would have come up with this combo, and I'm not sure whether my artist friend would have either, but man, it popped, and it looked one hundred times better than it ever had squashed into the cheapo black frame. We had great colors for mattes and frame, but I still felt flummoxed about how to mount/hang/tape the fabric onto the backing. Gwen presented several options and gave pros and cons. She said they could do the work for $75, but convinced me that I could do it myself and walked me through how to poke holes into the matting with a pin and then sew the fabric onto it in each corner. She went ahead and attached the mattes together so they'd be centered. She even threw in an extra sheet of matte because I was so worried I'd crease or tear it during my efforts. Finally I felt confident I could finish the job myself. The boyfriend had told me not to spend a fortune on framing, and in the end I spent $48 for a beautiful treatment that is just perfect for this very unique and problematic piece. (See the photo with the lemon yellow frame.) The painting looks like the treasure it is (to my boyfriend; YMMV) now that it's not cludged into a sad frame that doesn't suit or even fit it. We're both proud to have it on the wall. I'd recommend Cheap Pete's outlet on College to anyone who wants to hang their art and photos and enjoy them instead of keeping them in a stack somewhere. Don't be afraid. You'll get great value for your money, and you'll feel happy every time you look at them. Gwen is the best, and we'll be bringing the rest of the stack in soon. read more

Cheap Pete's Frame Factory Outlet - I was puzzled on how to frame this original Neil Blender painting on asymmetrical denim. Gwen helped me put together a great treatment! - Framing Near Me - Berkeley, California

Neither cheap nor great. They provide a service if You are lazy. We took in a frame only to have glass replace in a 10 x 17 picture - nothing else. We waited days to get it back only to by $65 for this "Service". Over rated and EXPENSIVE- not CHEAP. read more

I stopped by Cheap Pete's today hoping to get two mats cut with a tight deadline. Chris asked what I needed and was immediately able to assist me. He was outstanding. We looked at various colors and came up with a great solution based on his suggestions. He is efficient, knowledgeable and great to work with. I am very pleased with the results and with his thorough work. Thanks Chris. read more

I'm not new to mat-cutting or framing. I'm sure there's a lot to be said about where you could get your framing done. And how inexpensive you could get your project completed. I came in with a very odd shape pano-print that needed to have a hallmark presentation for guest to sign their closing salutations for a soon to be retired friend. I had no clue how to prepare such a project and was guided by Estefan. After leaving with my finished project in hand. I felt very well prepared with Estefan's creative insights. In consideration of the location and rent in the area, the price was pretty reasonable inexpensive. Add the quality and service, then the price is very darn cheap. read more

32 dollars is not cheap for a 11 by 18 frame. Very poorly made. The employee would not let me put the artwork in the frame at the store saying broken glass was an issue. The glass shattered the moment I tried to get the cardboard backing back on. Waste of time and money. I have to suggest buying elsewhere for better quality. read more

What a pleasant experience. Wen & Reilly win the award for excellent customer service. They were helpful, patient, and offered suggestions to help me find the best frame for my budget. This is now my go to place for frames. Thanks! read more

They had a pre-made frame in the size I needed. However, it was entirely made of compressed sawdust. not a bit of actual wood. The construction is so cheap, but the price was not cheap it was close to $30 for this crummy frame. It may look good for a few years, if very carefully handled, but the minute it drops, or a screw falls out, good luck with that. IKEA has better made frames than these! read more

I went in here to purchase a couple of ready-made frames and to have a poster custom-framed. For the latter I opted for the presumably money-saving "Pete's Complete." Now I know why they're called "Cheap..." The customer service was nonexistent. Getting a response to a simple, polite, straightforward question was like pulling teeth. My cat would've been more helpful. The custom framing job was terrible -- they cut off the bottom of the poster. I would've complained but I didn't want to argue and they were so unpleasant that I just wanted to get out of there, and I was pretty sure they wouldn't be responsive anyway. I ended up taking my framed poster elsewhere and paid someone who was pleasant and helpful and knew what they were doing to reframe and do the job right. So much for "cheap" in the monetary sense. Don't bother with this two-bit shop! read more

I've gone into Cheap Pete's a few times in the last couple of months to get help with some custom framing work. Every time I've gone in, the staff have been really helpful in assisting me select the right option for my style and budget. They even helped me adjust an already-placed custom order when I had a change of heart a few hours after submitting. Custom framing isn't cheap, but if the folks at Cheap Pete's make you feel like you're getting VIP service to match what sometimes feels like VIP pricing. read more

In and out in an hour with 8 frames, slightly customized from standard. The staff helped make it efficient, no pressure no worries. Cheap it's not, but was reasonable. read more

I've known about Cheap Pete's from my old days living in San Francisco where they've had a location for years out on Geary Ave. - but now I live in the east bay. When I had to find a fix for a painting that had become detached from its frame, Cheap Pete's was my first stop. The woman who helped said it would be a 5 minute job to have screws put in to secure the painting. Total cost = $5 for parts and labor. Wow - such a deal! She also helped me choose a double mat and new frame to give an old framed photo a more updated look. That custom framing job cost $140. I'm sure it would have cost a lot less if I had simply bought the materials and put them together myself, but it wouldn't be as good as their job. Parking is difficult on College Avenue so try one of the side streets. Overall, I'm happy with their excellent service and feel lucky that we have Cheap Pete's on this side of the bay. read more

I've come here three times, purchased three frames and have been consistently underwhelmed with the customer service. Twice I asked to be notified when a specific frame would be available and left my number and twice they did not notify me. The third time I found the item I was looking for. Then in evaluating a custom matte the person misquoted me the price and I ended up paying $20 more than I had expected. Really disappointing. Will not be spending more time or money here. read more

This is a real-time review. We had excellent service and found a great frame. Happy they offer acid-free mats, backing and museum glass. Thanks for making it so easy! read more

Reliable service and what I think are reasonable prices. It gets pricey quick but it's quality workmanship

Framing art is expensive. Often more expensive than the art. I was given a piece of calligraphy and did not want to spend a fortune framing it, but I did want a real wood (not plastic or MDF) frame. It did not require a custom frame, but it did require a somewhat unusual size (16x16), and online options were limited. Cheap Pete's had what they called "recycled wood" frames in the right size that seemed like they would work, so I went to the shop and bought one. I also a simple double mat cut, which to my shock cost more than the frame ($40!) but at that point I didn't to keep shopping around, so I gave them the go-ahead to cut the mats. Then I was surprised that they would not let me use the tables in the store to frame my item - they told me that it was a "liability" to have customers frame in their shop because of the glass, and that they couldn't predict whether they would need the space for other clients (I was the only one in the store at the time). So I took home my frame and mats and unwrapped them. I was dismayed to find that a) the mats were poorly cut (corners were cut into and rough) and the frame was *not* actually wood but some kind of particle board/MDF. Guess you get what you pay for. Next time I'll pay a bit more and go somewhere I know will do a good job and care about their customers, like the Framer's Workshop. read more

Incredibly slow just to print a digital picture. Had to be close to 30 minutes and it came out looking just like the one I printed at home. Excuse was that it was being trimmed. It then came out untrimmed. After trimming one side rough but I just wanted out. Would get 2 stars but prices are very cheap for standard stuff. Would never trust them with custom. read more

I went into cheap Pete's for the first time today with some George's Rouault prints to have framed... I walked around looking at frames for 15 minutes and the person that worked there never acknowledged me. However the prices on the frames that are not for museum quality prints were pretty cheap read more

I waited to the last minute to decide on presents for Valentine's Day. I took in 6 photos and ZERO artistic perception on a Monday. A couple of sales people; Beata and Wen, were very helpful with ideas and suggestions. I made my decisions based on their knowledge and expertise. I received a phone call soon after I left and was informed there was a problem. We were able to alter conceptions with a series of texts and the job proceeded. They were able to mount and frame my photos to my COMPLETE satisfaction in a timely manner. KUDO's ladies and THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to the top! Dear Management, Get 'em a raise and don't ever let them go. In the immortal words of the Terminator: "I'll be back !" Thanks again, ~DUG read more